Viewing scope for turbid environment and use in underwater welding

ABSTRACT

An underwater viewing scope, for viewing in water, having a transparent body with a viewing end and an opposing objective end by which light is transmitted through the body, and a lightabsorbing covering on the body except for the two opposing ends.

United States Patea Grubbs et a1.

[ 1 VIEWING SCOPE FOR TURBID 2,586,723 2/1952 Sakols 240/2 M ENVIRONMENTAND USE IN 3,089,484 5/1963 Hett 350/96 B T 3,091,235 5/1963 Richards350/96 B UNDERWAIER WELDING 3,096,430 7/1963 Farr 1 1 1 219/147 5]Inventors: Conway E. Grubbs, Glen Ellyn, 111.; 3,275,795 9/1966 Bosna eta1. 219/125 R Dale R, Anderson, Zachary La 3,650,598 3/1972 Kitano eta1. 350/96 R 3,756,692 9/1973 Scott 1 1 219/147 Asslgneei Chicago Bridge& Iron p y, 3,779,627 12/1973 Pinnow et a1. 350/96 wc Oak Brook, I11.3,779,628 12/1973 Kapron et al. 350/96 WG [22] Filed: Feb. 20, 1973FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS I 21 App]. 334 4 1,149,238 4/1969 UnitedKingdom 350/96 T Related Application Data Primary ExaminerJ. V. Truhe[62] Division of Ser. No. 260,243, June 6, 1972, Pat. No. Assistant E\'aminerG. R. Peterson 3,781,511 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Merriam,Marshall, Shapiro & Klose [52] US. Cl. 219/147; 350/96 T [51] Int. C1.823K 9/32 [58] Field of Search 219/147; 350/96 R, 96 B, [57] ABSTRACT350 9 W6, 9 T 3 2/2 1 An underwater viewing scope, for viewing in water,having a transparent body with a viewing end and an [56] ReferencesCited opposing objective end by which light is transmitted UNITED STATESPATENTS through the body, and a light-absorbing covering on the bodyexcept for the two opposing ends. 2,105,018 1/1938 Tatter 219/147 X2,297,799 10/1942 Pifer 240/2 M 7 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures r n I a as;9 71 74 g IEIIIIILT' 7g 4 31 35 1 W340 3 26 I g I I .39

U.S. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet 1 of4 III j a; I 14 U.S. Patent Oct. 28,1975 Sheet 2 of4 3,916,145

U.S., Patent Oct.28, 1975 Sheet3of4 3,916,145

US. Patent Oct.28,1975 Sheet4of4 I 3,916,145

VIEWING SCOPE FOR TURBID ENVIRONMENT AND USE IN UNDERWATER WELDING Thisis a division of application Ser. No. 260,243, filed June 6, 1972, nowU.S. Pat. No. 3,781,512.

This invention relates to apparatus and methods for viewing an object ina turbid fluid environment. More particularly, this invention isconcerned with a viewing scope which permits human observation of anobject in a cloudy gas or turbid liquid and its use therein forinspection purposes, welding, metal cutting and the performance of otheracts.

It is often desirable to be able to view an object located in a highlyturbid environment. Thus, it may be desirable to view an object in agaseous medium, such as air, obscured by solid or liquid particles whichmake the gaseous medium cloudy, or to view an object in a liquid mediumrendered turbid by solid or liquid particles or gas bubbles. However,the cloudy or turbid nature of the gaseous or liquid environment may sohighly obscure or reduce direct human visability as to render difficultor impossible the performance of intended acts or work even if theenvironment is in daylight, artificial light, or both.

Marine work is exemplary of the fields in which it is important to beable to view an object clearly under water so that inspection andconstruction work can be done. However, the water is often so turbid atthe site that it is impossible for a human to see adequately, withdaylight or artificial light, to inspect or do work on a ships hull,canal lock mechanism, dock structure, pipeline, dam or offshorestructure such as used for oil exploration, oil production and storage.

The ability to see adequately underwater has constituted a seriousobstacle to the development and utilization of underwater welding inmarine work. Much water, where it is desired to do underwater welding,is so turbid that a diver-welder cannot see more than two to six incheseven with high-powered lights. Wet welding, in which the object beingwelded and the molten weld are in contact with the water or some othersuitable liquid, can only be effected crudely in such turbid water byblind feel. Neither observation of the weld as it is deposited, norobservation of the weld afterward, is possible in such turbid water. Asa result, the welder can not be confident that the weld is madeproperly. In addition, the turbid water effectively limits the welder toa single crude blind wet weld pass because he cannot see adequately toremove scale from the weld and accurately position and observe thedeposit of additional weld passes. Thus, the deposit of multipass wetwelds has heretofore not been possible even though multippass wet weldshave been desired and needed on much work in turbid water.

Because of the need to make underwater welds in turbid water, it hasbeen proposed previously to flood the area with a gas, or to position awall around the area to be welded and replace the water in the walled-inspace with air or some other gas and to make the weld in the gaseousenvironment. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,632,950; 3,581,042 and 3,521,022.Simple gas flooding alone is of no appreciable help in highly turbidwater since it does not permit a sufficiently long visability distance.While a gas chamber system can be used for some underwater welding, itlacks flexibility because of the need to use specially made Walledenclosures or bubble chambers for many jobs due to the contours andshapes of the objects to be welded.

According to the present invention, a scope is provided particularly forviewing in a turbid fluid, including a cloudy or turbid gas or a turbidliquid, although it can also be used advantageously in comparativelyclear water. The scope has a large number of ues but is especiallyuseful for underwater wet welding, metal cutting, photography, andinspection. A welder using the scope can make high quality single andmultipass wet welds in highly turbid water as, for example, water inwhich human visability in daylight or artificial light is not more than2 inches.

The scope provided by the invention comprises an optically clear ortransparent body or mass having a viewing end and an opposing objectiveend. The body of the scope can be a hollow tube closed at each end suchas with flat plates or such a tube filled with a clear liquid such aswater. Advisably, however, the body of the scope is a solid mass. Also,the body of the scope is beneficially covered with a light-absorbinglayer of material except for the opposing viewing and objective ends.

The scope is used in a turbid environment by placing the viewing end toa persons eyes and putting the objective end close enough to the objectto be viewed so that the distance from the objective end to the objectis less than the minimim distance required for turbidity of theenvironment to obscure the view. Illumination of the object, if notprovided by daylight, can be effected by artificial light exterior of orinside the scope. The view through a scope having a light absorbingcovering provides tunnel-like vision of the object since the coveringprevents exterior diffuse light from blurring or softening the view.

The scope makes possible the viewing of objects in highly turbid waterby displacing the turbid water from the line of sight over a distanceequal to the length of the scope. This also applies to a turbid orcloudy gaseous environment. The eyes of the viewer thus can bepositioned away from the object to be viewed at least as far as thelength of the scope and a clear view obtained. The objective endofcourse can be placed a suitable distance away fromthe object viewedprovided the turbidity between the objective end of the scope and theobject does not unduly obscure the view. In some instances it isdesirable to flood the area of the object being viewed with a clearliquid, such as clear water, to reduce the turbidity between the objectand the scope viewing end. This can be done by directing the end of awater hose towardsthe object and flooding the viewing area with clearwater.

Since it is intended that the scope be used for underwater viewing, thesolid body of the scope is advisably made of a noncompressible material.Thus, the body 1 can be made of a solid optically-clear transparentorganic plastic material. It also can be made of glass although thedensity of glass would make the scope heavier than generally desired.The body of the scope is desirably made of one piece of optically-cleartransparent material although it can be made of a plurality of pieces. Alight-absorbing covering or coating is advisably applied on to thesurface of the solid transparent body, except for the viewing andobjective ends, to reduce internal light reflectance and blurring. Whenthe scope is to be used for welding, a transparent dark tinted sheet,such as of glass, can be movably mounted on the scope to cover theviewing end during wet welding and to be displaced therefrom for viewingbefore and after welding is effected.

The scope is used in underwater wet welding in turbid water in which thedistance of human visability when the water is illuminated by daylightor artificial light is less than needed by an underwater welder todirectly view and weld a joint to be welded. The scope is positioned inthe water between the eyes of an underwater welder and an object to bewelded. The viewing end of the scope is positioned close to the eyes ofthe welder. The objective end of the scope is positioned spaced awayfrom the joint sufficiently far to provide clearance for a weldingelectrode therebetween but close enough to the object to be welded sothat the turbid water does not prevent adequate vision by the welder toweld the object. While the scope is maintained in place, such as byhand, the welder welds the object while observing the weld and objectthrough the scope. The scope is moved along to obtain continuous viewingas welding progresses. Not only can single weld passes be made asdescribed but multipass welds can be made equally as well. A welderusing the viewing scope can maintain clear vision while he chips offscale before depositing subsequent weld passes.

Because of the rugged use to which a viewing scope is subjected inunderwater welding it must be strong and reliable. It should also berelatively inexpensive, simple to operate and easy to repair. Thesecriteria are most easily met by using for the body of the scope a solidmass or block of transparent optically-clear material, and advisably asolid mass of an organic plastic material such as poly (methylmethacrylate) and poly (methyl acrylate).

Although underwater welds can be made as described using a scope whichconsists solely of an optically-clear mass or body, it is advisable forwelding, and most other purposes, to use for the scope a body which iscovered or coated except for the viewing and objective ends. The coatingprevents diffuse light from blurring the vision and absorbs internalreflected light which could further interfere with viewing.

The invention will be described further in conjunction with the attacheddrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a diver standing on a sea floor weldinga joint in metal plates using a viewing scope according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the welder depositing a weld as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the viewing scope used by the weldershown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the viewing scope of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view, partially in section andpartially broken away, of the viewing scope of FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevational view, partially in section, of theviewing end of the viewing scope of FIGS. 3 to 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of viewing scopein which a hollow tube filled with water is employed;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the viewing end of the viewing scope ofFIG. 7',

FIG. 9 is a side eleva tltlliill view of another embodiment of viewingscope iii WIll'eli the Belly er the viewing scope is a solid opticallyclear plastic block having a handle affixed to the plastic block;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the viewing end of the viewing scopeof FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of another viewing scope having alight mounted on the bottom of the scope;

FIG. 12 is an elevational view of the objective end of the scope of FIG.11; and

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a viewing scope having aflashlight mounted on the bottom.

So far as is practical, the same parts or elements which appear in thedifferent views of the drawings will be identified by the same numbers.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the diver 10 dressed in a suitablediving suit and having the necessary accompanying equipment is standingon sea floor I]. The vertical edges of metal plates 12 and 13 arepositioned abutting together to form joint 14 which the welder isengaged in welding to join the plates. The diver holds viewing scope 15with his left hand so that the objective end 16 is positioned close tothe weld being deposited in joint 14 by means of electrode 17. Theviewing end 18 of scope 15 is placed in close contact with face plate 19of the divers helmet. Electrode 17 is mounted in an electrode holder 17Awhich the diver holds in his right hand. The electrode holder 17A andelectrode 17 together comprise a welding torch. Electrical power issupplied to the electrode holder 17A and electrode by means of rubberinsulated electric cable 19.

The viewing scope 15 used by the diver is shown in l greater detail inFIGS. 3 to 6. Viewing scope 15 has a solid body 20 of an optically-clearlight transmitting organic plastic material. Body 20 can be a block ofsolid polymeric methyl acrylate or polymeric methyl methacrylate. Poly(methyl methacrylate) is sold under the trademarks Plexiglass andLucite. It can be of any suitable length but generally for welding usesit will be at least 8 to 10 inches or more long. The plastic body 20 hasa flat rectangular top surface 21 and a pair of identical vertical sidewalls 22. The bottom of scope body 20 has a flat rectangular surfacearea 23 substantially parallel to the top surface 21. The flat area 23is located at the thickest part of the viewing scope body 20. The bottomportion 24 of body 20 extending from the flat central area 23 slopesupwardly and terminates at the objective end 26 of the viewing scope.Similarly, bottom portion 25 of the scope body 20 slopes upwardly andterminates at the viewing end 27 of the scope body. The objective end 26and the viewing end 27 of the scope solid plastic body 20 are highlypolished to provide clear optical surfaces. The top 21, bottom 23, 24,25 and vertical sides 22 of body 20 are advisably roughened, such aswith sandpaper, and then covered with a coat of black paint 28 (FIG. 6).

As shown in FIG. 5, the viewing scope 15 has a vertical circular hole 31cut in the bottom portion 23 of the scope body. The hole 31 has a flatend 32. Extending inwardly into the solid body 20 from the hole end 32is circular hole 33 which terminates in a hemispherical end 34.Stainless steel collar 35, which is threaded internally with threads 36,is cemented into hole 31 by a suitable cement 37, such as an epoxycement.

Stainless steel ring 38 (FIG. 5) is provided with external threads forthreading into collar 35. O ring 39 provides a waterproof seal betweenring 38 and an adjacent internal flange of collar 35. Stainless steelpipe 39,

which is closed at its bottom end, is joined-by weld 40 to stainlesssteel ring 38. Coil spring 41 is located in the bottom of pipe 39. Oneor more flashlight dry cell electric batteries 42 are positioned insideof pipe 39. Retainer cone 43 holds a bulb holder assembly 44 in positionin the upper portion of ring 38 and flashlight bulb 45 is mounted inbulb holder 44. The top of bulb 45 fits into hole 33 with clearancearound the bulb. Reflector 46 is mounted in hole 33 to reflect lightfrom bulb 45 to the objectiveend 26 of the viewing scope so that thelight does not shine directly into the eyes of the viewer when he looksthrough the viewing end 27 of the scope. A suitable switch, not shown,can be mounted on pipe 39 or elsewhere to turn lightbulb 45 on and off.However, the viewing scope can be employed without such a switch. Pipe39 serves not only as a receptacle for one or more batteries used toprovide electrical power to bulb 45 but it also serves as a suitablehandle by which the welder can hold the viewing scope while using it.

Instead of making parts such as collar 35, ring 38, pipe.39 and otherparts from stainless steel, they can be made of copper, brass or othermetal which resists corrosion in sea water.

To prevent black paint applied to the outer surface of solid body frombeing scratched or chipped off during use, a layer of opaquepressure-sensitive tape 51 is wound around the viewing scope body exceptfor the ends. Duct tape is a suitable pressure-sensitive tape which canbe used for this purpose and is preferred since it is readily available,inexpensive and substantially waterproof. The tape 51 is advisablyextended over and onto the peripheral edges of the objective end 26 andthe edges of the viewing end 27 of the scope body.

Because of the hard use to which the viewing scope is put, such as inmaking underwater welds, it is advisable to provide protective lenses orplates over the objective end 26 and the viewing end 27. Thus, as shownin FIGS. 5 and 6, optically clear plate 53, such as of glass or clearplastic, is wrapped around its edge with tape 54. Tape 54 extends beyondthe peripheral edge of plate 53 onto the front and back faces orsurfaces of the plate for a short distance (0.25 in.) inwardly from theperipheral edge. Protective plate 53 is held'in position over viewingend 27 by means of tape 55 (FIG. 6) which is wrapped around the viewingbody and the edge of plate 53. The edge of the tape 55 is extended overthe outer face or surface of plate 53 and pressed down over theperipheral surface of the front face of the plate to further aid inholding it in place. The space 66 between protective plate 53 andviewing end 27 is generally filled with water by means of holes 67punched into the tape wrappings. The described mounting arrangementprovides for ready removal and replacement of protective plate 53 if itshould become scratched or broken.

Welders conventional protective lense or plate 60 has a tape 61 wrappedaround its edge. Tinted lense 60 is always used by welders. It serves toprotect a welders eyes from ultraviolet and infrared rays from thewelding arc and reduces the amount of light transmitted to the eyes sothat the molten metal of the weld puddle can be seen. The edges of thetape 61 extend inwardly along the side edges of the front and backsurfaces of the plate. The welders protective lense 60 can be made ofany suitable glass or plastic material to protect'the welders eyesagainst the glare of the arc during welding. The edges of two layers oftape 62 and 63 are pressed on opposite sides of the top longitudinaledge of welders protective lense 60 and the free parts of the two tapesare pressed to each other to provide a flexible tab hinge which issecured on the top of the scope body by means of tape 64 wound aroundthe end of the scope. When the welder is not welding, the protectivelense 60 is swung or rotated upwardly as shown in FIG. 6 so that a clearview can be obtained through the viewing scope. However, when the welderundertakes to weld, the protective lense 60 is swung downwardly to beclose to protective lense 53.

The objective end 26 of the viewing scope is protected by a lense orplate 71 (FIG. 5) which has its edge wrapped with tape 72. Tape 72extends around to the front and back peripheral surfaces of plate 71.The plate 71, as so wrapped with tape, is held in place over theobjective end 26 by means of tape 73 wrapped around the viewing scopebody. Holes 74 are punched through the tape in order for water to enterthe space 75 between the protective plate 71 and the viewing end 26 ofthe scope body.

The viewing scope described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6 can be usedby a welder or other diver under water for inspecting objects, makingwelds and performing various mechanical tasks. The viewing scope isparticularly suitable for use in turbid water, especially where singleor multi-pass welds are to be made. Furthermore, the viewing scope ishighly useful in water which is not strictly turbid. The tunnel-likevision obtained by a welder using the viewing scope permits him to makewelds without being distracted by glare reflected from rising gas-filledbubbles which originate at the pool of molten metal at the weld site.When not in use underwater, the viewing scope can be suspended by meansof a rope strap around the divers neck, arm or waist.

The viewing scope of FIGS. 1 to 6 is easily used to make underwaterwelds in turbid water. Before submerging, the diver should make sure thelight is lit and that the batteries are strong. The welders protectivelense on the viewing scope is swung up. When the diver is in positionunder water he takes the viewing scope by the handle and places theviewing end up against the face plate of the diving helmet or mask withthe welders protective lense still swung up. The diver then moves theobjective end of the scope in front of the work, advisably within 1.5 to2 inches of the work or object to be welded, with the built-in lightshining on the area to be welded. After the welder has visuallyestablished the exact point where he will start the weld, he positionsthe welding electrode end very close to, but not touching, the pointwhere the arc is to be struck. Without moving the electrode, the welderthen simultaneously moves his head back slightly and makes a short backand then forward motion of the viewing scope. The forward motion,against resistance of the water, hinges the welders protective or tintedlense down into position for welding. The electrode end is then broughtinto contact with the work piece and welding commenced. Depending on thewelder, he may position his hand holding the electrode holder 17A above,below or to either side of the viewing scope. Furthermore, the viewingscope should be positioned in use so'that the weld puddle is seenclearly by the welder without his vision being obscured by the gasbubbles that are released and rise from the weld area.

The vicwing scope of FIGS. 1 to 6 can be used for purposes underwaterother than welding. It can be used for inspection purposes in turbidwater and to facilitate underwater assembly of equipment and parts.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another form of viewing scope provided by theinvention. Viewing scope 80 has a clear plastic tube 81 covered at bothends by clear plastic plates or discs 82 and 83 which are mounted on thetube endsby means of a suitable cement. The resulting closed tube isfilled with clear water 84 through hole 85 which is then closed by plugor cork 86. Welders lense 87 is placed on the viewing plate 83 by meansofa suitable adhesive. When a welder is using the viewing scope and isin the act of welding, he can view the weld through welders lense 87 toprotect his eyes. When the welder is not engaged in welding he can viewthe object to be welded, or any other object, through the clear portionof viewing plate 83. Handle 88 made of a hollow tube has upper forkedelements 77 and 78 which are secured to the hollow tube 81 by stainlesssteel bands 79 and 89. The viewing scope 80 of FIGS. 7 and 8 can be usedin turbid water. When it is used in turbid water it is advisable toemploy an auxiliary light to illuminate the object to be viewed andwelded. The light can be held separate from the viewing scope or mountedon the scope. If desired, the viewing scope can be covered with anopaque material to obtain tunnel vision when it is used.

FIGS. 9 and illustrate a third embodiment of viewing scope provided bythe invention. The viewing scope 90 has an elongated optically clearplastic body 91, rectangular in lateral cross section, mounted on atubular handle 92. Forked elements 94 and 95, comprising extensions ofthe tubular handle 92, are secured to body 91 by tape 93 wrapped aroundthe body. A protective lense or plate 94 is placed over the objectiveend of the scope body 91 to protect it against wear and abrasion.Protective plate 96 can be held in place by pressure-sensitive tape.Welders lense 97 is hingeably mounted over viewing end 98 of the viewingscope. Welders lense or plate 97 is hingeably mounted so that it can beswung out of the way when welding is not being done so that the weldercan have a clear view through the scope to the object. Welders lense 97can be mounted on body 91 by means of tape in the same way that welderslense 60 is mounted on the viewing scope described in conjunction withFIGS. 3 to 6. Viewing scope 90 can be employed in clear water withoutauxiliary light. However, in turbid water it is advisable to employ asuitable auxiliary light for better visability. Furthermore, to achievetunnel vision with viewing scope 90, the outer surface of body 91 can becoated with a suitable material, such as black paint, or an opaquecovering.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate still another embodiment of viewing scopeprovided by the invention. Viewing scope 100 has a solid clear plasticbody covered with black paint. Viewing scope 100 is made ofa solidoptically-clear plastic rectangular block having opposing polished ends.Lantern 101 is bound to the bottom of viewing scope 100 by means ofpressure-sensitive tape wound around the lantern and the viewing scope.Electrical power for the lantern can be supplied by batteries enclosedin the lantern or carried by the diver or by means ofa wire from a boaton the sea surface or from a source on land. Welders lense 102 ishingeably mounted at the viewing end of the scope and when not in use itis rotated upwardly out of the way to improve vision through the scope.Rope handle 103 is provided for use in carrying the viewing scope. Theviewing scope is operated in essentially the same manner described withreference to the other embodiments of viewing scopes describedpreviously herein.

FIG. 13 illustrates a viewing scope 110 which is essentially likeviewing scope of FIGS. 11 and 12, except, however, that a flashlight 111is mounted on the bottom of viewing scope by means of a bracket 112.Pressure-sensitive tape 113 wound around the composite structure bindsthe viewing scope, bracket and flashlight together. Handle 114 isprovided to facilitate carrying the viewing scope. Welders lense orplate 115 is hingeably mounted to the viewing end of the scope and whennot in use in welding it is rotated upwardly so that it does notinterfere with clear vision through the scope.

If it is not desired to have tunnel vision when using any of the viewingscopes described herein, the body of the scope can be left noncoated ornoncovered. A coated viewing scope is preferred however because itblocks out reflected light from gas bubbles rising from a welding site.For this reason, the viewing scope is advantageously employed even whenwelding in water of comparatively good visability.

Any of the viewing scopes can be mounted directly on the divers helmetor mask instead of having it hand held.

The viewing scope in its preferred form in which the body is a solidblock of plastic is lightweight underwater since it is constructed ofmaterials which are not much heavier than water. This facilitates itsuse without fatiguing the user.

phosphorescent or fluorescent material can be positioned at theobjective end of the viewing scope to increase visability. The lightfrom the welding arc will activate the material and in turn it willprovide light for a short period after the welding arc is extinguished.This will aid inspection by the welder and starting of the weld again.

Visability of the weld, or other view, can be further improved byflooding the space between the objective end of the viewing scope andthe object or work piece with a clear liquid, such as clear water. Atube or hose can be used to feed the liquid to the weld area to achievethe desired flooding. The hose can be handled in any suitable way toproperly direct the liquid as a stream to the welding area. Thus, it canbe mounted on the viewing scope with the tube end pointed towards theweld to direct the liquid above or below the weld as needed toaccommodate the density of the liquid to the surrounding water. With aliquid less dense than the water, the liquid should be fed below theweld so that it flows upwardly after release from the tube and viceversa for a heavier-than-water liquid.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. An underwater welders scope for viewing and welding in turbid watercomprising:

a rigid transparent optically clear light-transmissive one-pieceelongated solid mass having a viewing end and an opposing objective end,through which light may enter the mass and then pass through the massand out of the viewing end,

a light-absorbing covering on the solid mass surface except for the twosaid opposing ends,

a welders eye-protecting plate,

means removably mounting the eye-protecting plate on the solid mass tobe removably positioned over the viewing end of the solid mass duringwelding underwater,

a handle,

means connecting the handle to the solid mass so that a welder can holdthe scope during viewing and welding underwater,

a light, and

means mounting the light on the solid mass to illuminate an objectviewed through the scope during welding.

2. An underwater welders scope according to claim 1 including:

a recess in the transparent solid mass,

means mounting the light in the recess, and

means mounting a light reflector adjacent the light to direct light outthe objective end of the solid mass.

3. An underwater welders scope for viewing and welding in turbid watercomprising:

a rigid transparent optically clear light-transmissive one-pieceelongated solid mass having a viewing end and an opposing objective end,through which light may enter the mass and then pass through the massand out the viewing end,

a light-absorbing covering on the solidmass surface except for the twosaid opposing ends,

a first flat optically clear transparent plate and means replaceablymounting the first plate on the solid mass to cover the viewing end,

a second flat optically clear transparent plate and means replaceablymounting the second plate on the solid mass to cover the objective end,

a welders eye-protecting plate,

means removably mounting the eye-protecting plate to the solid mass tobe removably-positioned over the first flat optically clear transparentplate during welding underwater,

a handle,

means connecting the handle to the solid mass so that a welder can holdthe scope during viewing and welding underwater,

a light, and

means mounting the light to the solid mass to illuminate an objectviewed through the scope during welding.

4. An underwater welders scope according to claim 3 including:

means spacing the first plate from the viewing end and water filling thespace thereby defined, and

means spacing the second plate from the objective end and water fillingthe space thereby defined.

5. An underwater welders scope according to claim 3 including:

at least one battery to provide power for the light,

and

means mounting the battery to the scope.

6. An underwater welders scope for viewing and welding in turbid watercomprising:

a rigid transparent optically clear light-transmissive one-pieceelongated solid mass having a viewing end and an opposing objective end,through which light may enter the mass and then pass through the massand out the viewing end,

a light-absorbing black covering on the solid mass surface except forthe two said opposing ends,

a first flat optically clear transparent plate and means replaceablymounting the first plate on the solid mass to cover the viewing end,

a second flat optically clear transparent plate an means replaceablymounting the second plate on the solid mass to cover the objective end,

a welders eye-protecting plate,

means removably mounting the eye-protecting plate to the solid mass tobe removably-positioned over the first flat optically-clear transparentplate during welding underwater,

a handle,

means connecting the handle to the solid mass so that a welder can holdthe scope during viewing and welding underwater;

a light,

means mounting the light on the body to illuminate an object viewedthrough the scope during welding,

a recess in the transparent solid mass,

means mounting the light in the recess,

means mounting a light reflector adjacent the light to direct light outthe objective end of the solid mass,

at least one battery to provide power for the light,

and

means mounting the battery to the scope.

7. An underwater welders scope according to claim 6 in which:

the first and second transparent plates and the eyeprotecting plate arereplaceably mounted to the solid mass by flexible pressure sensitivetape, and

the solid mass, except for the viewing and objective ends, is coveredwith a protective layer of a pressure sensitive tape.

1. An underwater welder''s scope for viewing and welding in turbid watercomprising: a rigid transparent optically clear light-transmissiveone-piece elongated solid mass having a viewing end and an opposingobjective end, through which light may enter the mass and then passthrough the mass and out of the viewing end, a light-absorbing coveringon the solid mass surface except for the two said opposing ends, awelder''s eye-protecting plate, means removably mounting theeye-protecting plate on the solid mass to be removably positioned overthe viewing end of the solid mass during welding underwater, a handle,means connecting the handle to the solid mass so that a welder can holdthe scope during viewing and welding underwater, a light, and meansmounting the light on the solid mass to illuminate an object viewedthrough the scope during welding.
 2. An underwater welder''s scopeaccording to claim 1 including: a recess in the transparent solid mass,means mounting the light in the recess, and means mounting a lightreflector adjacent the light to direct light out the objective end ofthe solid mass.
 3. An underwater welder''s scope for viewing and weldingin turbid water comprising: a rigid transparent optically clearlight-transmissive one-piece elongated solid mass having a viewing endand an opposing objective end, through which light may enter the massand then pass through the mass and out the viewing end, alight-absorbing covering on the solid mass surface except for the twosaid opposing ends, a first flat optically clear transparent plate andmeans replaceably mounting the first plate on the solid mass to coverthe viewing end, a second flat optically clear transparent plate andmeans replaceably mounting the second plate on the solid mass to coverthe objective end, a welder''s eye-protecting plate, means removablymounting the eye-protecting plate to the solid mass to be removablypositioned over the first flat optically clear transparent plate duringwelding underwater, a handle, means connecting the handle to the solidmass so that a welder can hold the scope during viewing and weldingunderwater, a light, and means mounting the light to the solid mass toilluminate an object viewed through the scope during welding.
 4. Anunderwater welder''s scope according to claim 3 including: means spacingthe first plate from the viewing end and water filling the space therebydefined, and means spacing the second plate from the objective end andwater filling the space thereby defined.
 5. An underwater welder''sscope according to claim 3 including: at least one battery to providepower for the light, and means mounting the battery to the scope.
 6. Anunderwater welder''s scope for viewing and welding in turbid watercomprising: a rigid transparent optically clear light-transmissiveone-piece elongated solid mass having a viewing end and an opposingobjective end, through which light may enter the mass and then passthrough the mass and out the viewing end, a light-absorbing blackcovering on the solid mass surface except for the two said opposingends, a first flat optically clear tRansparent plate and meansreplaceably mounting the first plate on the solid mass to cover theviewing end, a second flat optically clear transparent plate and meansreplaceably mounting the second plate on the solid mass to cover theobjective end, a welder''s eye-protecting plate, means removablymounting the eye-protecting plate to the solid mass to beremovably-positioned over the first flat optically clear transparentplate during welding underwater, a handle, means connecting the handleto the solid mass so that a welder can hold the scope during viewing andwelding underwater; a light, means mounting the light on the body toilluminate an object viewed through the scope during welding, a recessin the transparent solid mass, means mounting the light in the recess,means mounting a light reflector adjacent the light to direct light outthe objective end of the solid mass, at least one battery to providepower for the light, and means mounting the battery to the scope.
 7. Anunderwater welder''s scope according to claim 6 in which: the first andsecond transparent plates and the eye-protecting plate are replaceablymounted to the solid mass by flexible pressure sensitive tape, and thesolid mass, except for the viewing and objective ends, is covered with aprotective layer of a pressure sensitive tape.